Welcome to our weekly blog about plants of the USDA Zone 4 – 5a Northern Plains region and people who grow them.Today’s feature is about common houseplants.
Houseplants that live at our house year to year tolerate simple care. Once a week each container is watered until water comes out the drain hole at the bottom of the pot. Later that day the excess water is removed. Plants whose leaves have brown tips receive water in the shower instead so that the whole plant is watered.
Each fall, about the top two inches of potting soil from the pot is removed and fresh potting soil is replaced. Whether the pot has been outdoors in summer or indoors full time, fresh soil removes some insect pests. Plants returning indoors in the fall also have leaves sprayed with water to remove dust, etc.
Rubber tree plant fits indoor spaces with low or indirect light. While some allow their rubber tree to grow tall, it can be pruned. The cuttings root over time in potting soil.
The original Algerian ivy plant was a gift and I called it Norwegian ivy until now. It also tolerates low or indirect light well and cuttings root easily.
While some people move furniture in spring to achieve a new look, here we move plants from room to room, regrouping them as natural light allows. These potted camellia shrubs have glossy dark green leaves that my eyes crave before spring.
Tropical plants, found commonly in stores include this evergreen that requires direct light to maintain its color and lush shape.
This tropical was sold as an outdoor filler for containers. It lasts well year round in indirect light and long leaf blades are diverse among other plants.
Boston fern was a gift from a friend. It grows best in direct sunlight and continues to be divided almost annually. Fern fronds in a vase add green in winter.
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